Now is a good time to take a soil test to see if any lime is needed to adjust soil
pH or correct fertility imbalances in the soil. Adding compost or other fertilizer
amendments, according to your soil test, is a great way to build soil and increase
the microbial population. Vegetable rotation by family every couple of years is
also recommended to avoid building up detrimental insects and soil-borne
pathogens, like fungi or bacteria. For example, tomatoes and peppers are both in
the same family. Planting peppers after tomatoes may seem like your rotating,
but not really since they are in the same family, and can attract similar insects
and pathogens. Instead of planting peppers, try planting cool season crops in
the brassica family (broccoli, radishes, kale, cabbage) to change up your families.
Vegetables in the brassica family can be planted late-winter/early spring to be
harvested before hot temperatures arrive. If you have questions about taking soil
tests or growing vegetables, feel free to contact Matt Lenhardt with Stokes
County Extension at 336-593-8179, or email Matt Lenhardt at
